UK Graduate Route Visa 2026: Work in UK After Your Degree
Feb 15, 2026·11 min read·Updated for 2026
Quick Summary
UK Graduate Route visa gives 2 years (3 for PhD) to live and work in the UK after graduation
No job offer required, you can work in any role, at any salary, while on the Graduate Route
Switch to Skilled Worker visa when you secure a sponsored job above the salary threshold
The Graduate Route visa lets you live and work in the UK for 2 years after completing a bachelor's or master's degree, or 3 years for PhD graduates. It's one of the strongest post-study work rights in the world, and it's available to all nationalities including Indian students, with no job offer required.
Key Takeaways
2 years work rights for UG/PG graduates; 3 years for PhD graduates
No job offer required to apply for Graduate Route
No minimum salary requirement on Graduate Route itself
Can work in any job, any sector, any number of hours
Visa fee: £700. Apply before your Student Visa expires.
Clear pathway to Skilled Worker Visa and eventually ILR
What is the UK Graduate Route Visa?
Introduced in July 2021, the Graduate Route (also called the Graduate Visa or Post-Study Work visa) allows international students who completed a UK degree to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK for 2 to 3 years after graduation.
Unlike the old Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa that was scrapped in 2012, the Graduate Route has no minimum salary threshold, no specific employer requirement, and no job offer needed to apply. This gives Indian graduates maximum flexibility to find the right opportunity.
Who Is Eligible for the UK Graduate Route Visa?
Completed degree: A UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD (or other eligible qualification at RQF level 6 or above)
Studied at: A UKVI-licensed Tier 4 sponsor institution
Currently in the UK on a valid Student Visa when you apply, you cannot apply from outside the UK
Application window: Apply before your Student Visa expires. You can apply up to 2 years after completing your course if still on valid leave.
Good to know: You can apply before receiving your official degree certificate. You just need confirmation from your university's Student Immigration Service that you have met the requirements for your degree, this is usually available a few weeks after your final exams or dissertation submission.
How Do You Apply for the UK Graduate Route Visa?
1
Confirm eligibility with your university
Contact your university's International Student Advisory Service or Student Immigration Team. They confirm your degree completion and provide evidence you can use in your application.
2
Apply online at the UKVI website
Fill the Graduate Visa application form at gov.uk/graduate-visa. You'll need your passport, current BRP, and university completion evidence.
3
Pay the £700 visa fee
The Graduate Route visa costs £700. There is no IHS surcharge on the Graduate Route, you pay the NHS fee separately through IHS if you extend your stay later.
4
Submit biometrics (if required)
Most applicants already have a valid BRP from their Student Visa, you do not need a new appointment in these cases. The decision is usually made based on existing biometric data.
5
Receive decision
Standard processing is up to 8 weeks, but most applicants receive a decision within 5–10 business days. Your new visa begins on the date stated in the decision letter.
What Can You Do on the Graduate Route?
Work in any job, including casual, part-time, seasonal, or zero-hours roles
Work full-time, there is no weekly hour cap on the Graduate Route
Start your own business or work as a freelancer or contractor
Study a short course or qualification that does not require a Student Visa
Switch to a Skilled Worker Visa if you secure a qualifying job offer
No occupation restriction: Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, there is no list of eligible occupations for the Graduate Route. You can work as a barista, a junior software engineer, a retail assistant, or in finance, the route is unrestricted. This is intentionally designed to give graduates time to find the right opportunity.
Transitioning to the Skilled Worker Visa
Most Indian graduates use the 2-year Graduate Route to find permanent employment, then switch to a Skilled Worker Visa for long-term UK residency. To switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, you need:
A job offer from a UKVI-licensed sponsor employer
Salary at or above the minimum threshold: £26,200/year (2026) or the occupation-specific rate, whichever is higher
Role must be on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list (SOC codes)
For most Indian graduates in tech, finance, engineering, consulting, or healthcare, finding a Skilled Worker-eligible job within 2 years is very achievable.
UK Salary Guide by Sector (Graduate Level, 2026)
Sector
Entry-Level Salary
Mid-Level Salary
Skilled Worker Eligible?
Software Engineering
GBP 35,000–50,000
GBP 55,000–90,000
Yes (SOC 2136)
Data Science / ML
GBP 38,000–55,000
GBP 60,000–100,000
Yes (SOC 2425)
Finance / Investment Banking
GBP 40,000–60,000
GBP 70,000–150,000+
Yes (SOC 2412)
Management Consulting
GBP 35,000–50,000
GBP 65,000–100,000
Yes
NHS Healthcare
GBP 28,000–40,000
GBP 40,000–70,000
Yes (NHS direct sponsorship)
Mechanical Engineering
GBP 30,000–42,000
GBP 45,000–70,000
Yes (SOC 2122)
Digital Marketing
GBP 25,000–35,000
GBP 40,000–60,000
Moderate (check SOC)
Tips for Indian Graduates on Graduate Route
Start Job Hunting Early
Begin applying 3–6 months before graduation, UK graduate schemes close as early as October/November for the following September
Many employers (Big 4 accounting, banks, NHS) offer graduate schemes specifically designed for international students
Build a UK-Format CV
2 pages maximum. No photo, no date of birth, no marital status
Results-focused: "Increased X by Y%" rather than "Responsible for..."
Skills section with specific tools, languages, and certifications
Use UK Recruitment Channels
LinkedIn UK: Set location to UK; turn on "Open to Work" for UK-based roles
Recruiters: Hays, Michael Page, Reed, Robert Walters, register with 2–3 agencies in your field
University careers portal: Most UK universities have exclusive job boards with verified sponsor employers
Dhruvil Patel is the founder of Abroed India, a study abroad consulting firm based in Ahmedabad. His journey into this field is personal, coming from a middle-class family, he borrowed money from relatives just to prepare for the TOEFL and SAT when he dreamed of studying in the US. After scoring well, he trusted a consultant to handle his application, only to be conned out of borrowed money with no work done. Refusing to give up, he taught himself everything: DS-160 forms, visa appointments, document preparation, and application strategy. Despite doing everything right on his own, his US visa was refused, and two years were lost in the process.
That experience became his mission. Today, through Abroed India, Dhruvil makes sure no student has to go through what he did. He has guided students through visa applications across 8+ countries, UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia, France, Spain, Japan, and Dubai, combining personal consulting with AI-powered tools to make quality study abroad guidance accessible and affordable.